Kwara Political Landscape Heats Up Ahead of 2027 Elections
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins, Kwara State has emerged as a crucial battleground where political supremacy will be tested between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a resurgent opposition led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The political atmosphere in the state indicates that a fierce contest awaits candidates from various political parties, all claiming to have developed superior winning strategies for the upcoming polls.
The Saraki Factor and Opposition Resurgence
Despite the ruling APC's apparent confidence under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, political analysts in the state believe the battle for Kwara's political soul will be anything but easy. The recent peaceful congress conducted by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has injected new life into the opposition's structure.
Abdulkareem Olola-Kasum, an Ilorin-based social critic, provided insightful analysis: "I had never in my life supported the Sarakis on political issues, but comparing the strength of the opposition parties, especially PDP, and that of the ruling party APC, I will slightly rate the PDP higher due to the structure it has at the ward and state levels. But in terms of power of incumbency, the APC holds the ace."
Many PDP members interviewed in Ilorin revealed their allegiance lies not with the party itself but with Bukola Saraki, a two-term governor who inherited a solid political structure from his father, Olusola Saraki.
Historical Context and Political Dynasty
The Saraki political dynasty traces its roots to Olusola Saraki, who entered politics by contesting the 1964 parliamentary election for Ilorin as an independent candidate. After losing, he returned to medical practice in Lagos but re-entered party politics in 1978/79. His political prominence peaked when he became Senate Leader in the Second Republic under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
This political machinery produced successive governors of Kwara State, including his son Bukola. However, the invincibility of this structure was dismantled six years ago by the 'O to ge' political movement that ushered in Governor AbdulRazaq's administration.
PDP's Internal Reorganization and New Leadership
The recent PDP ward and state congresses marked a significant turning point for the opposition. Adamu Issa from Kaiama in Kwara North Senatorial District emerged as the new state chairman, scoring 1,498 votes from 1,572 accredited delegates.
Other elected officials include:
- Wasilat Macarthy as Deputy Chairman
- Abdullahi AbdulRahman as Secretary
- Cornelius Fawenu as Treasurer
- Umar Shero as Financial Secretary
- Olusegun Olushola as Publicity Secretary
- Monsurat Omotosho as Legal Adviser
- Musa Bashir as Auditor
Bukola Saraki commended party members for demonstrating "maturity, fairness, and internal democracy" during the congress. He emphasized that "the PDP has once again shown that it is the party that provides a level playing field and prioritises the will of the people."
Defections and Political Realignments
In a surprising development, the immediate past PDP state chairman, Babatunde Mohammed, appeared at the opening ceremony of the Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The event was coordinated by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, and attended by National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and former governor Abdulfattah Ahmed.
Sources described Mohammed's move as a personal choice and part of his democratic freedom, noting that he had fully participated in electing his successor before his departure.
Confidence from Both Sides
PDP chieftain Hajia Nimota Ibrahim, a former Commissioner for Education and ex-member of the House of Assembly, expressed strong confidence in the Saraki structure: "The Oloye's true disciples will never walk away from 'Ile-Loke'. We are today stronger than yesterday and we are poised for stronger comebacks come the year 2027."
An on-air personality in Kwara, Popoola, cited unconfirmed statistics suggesting Saraki's political structure holds a 35% advantage over any other political structure in the state, well-rooted across all 16 local government areas.
However, APC State Chairman Sunday Fagbemi dismissed opposition claims: "What structure are they talking about? We dismantled it in 2019 and won 100% in 2023. So, it is the wishful thinking of those talking about structure. They are fantasising."
The Third Force Emerges
The ADC, positioning itself as a 'third force' in Kwara politics, has been attracting defectors. ADC Chairman Prince Jolayemi Akadi emphasized the need for selflessness and collaboration: "In a merger or coalition, there must be give and take. Positions are not permanent. We must be ready to make way when necessary to strengthen the platform."
As political maneuvers intensify, Kwarans await to see which party will ultimately walk its talk in the 2027 elections, with the state potentially becoming the cynosure of all eyes in Nigerian politics.
